The testing of a commercial flock of broiler chickens in Delaware showed the first “presumptive” case of H5 bird flu in the state.
Because of the highly contagious nature of the virus, there are concerns throughout the multibillion-dollar poultry industry, including in Maryland.
The testing was conducted on a flock at a Kent County, Delaware, farm.
Findings are regarded as “presumptive” until further confirmation through testing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
Guidance from the Maryland Department of Agriculture issued in mid-December urged farmers to practice “enhanced biosecurity” on their properties.
Delaware’s first “presumptive” case of H5 bird flu was discovered through testing of a commercial flock of broiler chickens. Concerns exist throughout the multibillion-dollar poultry industry, including in Maryland, due to the virus’s extremely contagious nature.
A flock at a farm in Kent County, Delaware, was used for the testing. The findings were made public on Friday morning, one week after wild Snow Geese close to Milton, Delaware’s Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge were found to have a presumed positive test for the highly contagious bird flu.
Results are considered “presumptive” until they are confirmed by additional testing at the U. S. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory of the Department of Agriculture.
Up to 850 wild birds, primarily Snow Geese or other waterfowl, were discovered dead in the region in recent weeks, according to a press release from the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Farmers who raise poultry in Delaware and Maryland, including noncommercial establishments that keep chickens or ducks as pets, are being advised to exercise caution and vigilance. Midway through December, the Maryland Department of Agriculture released guidelines encouraging farmers to implement “enhanced biosecurity” on their farms.
Maryland state parks, which are far from Delaware, have implemented their own safety measures.
Seven state parks in Maryland have aviaries that house a range of raptors, such as owls and hawks, and they are imposing restrictions.
The coordinator of the Scales and Tales program, Sarah Milbourne, a Maryland State Park ranger, told WTOP, “We have moved from our normal operating of Phase I into a Phase II,” which, she explained, “restricts any sort of visitation into sort of the closer areas of our aviary.”. “.”.
Although walkways close to the aviaries are currently closed, visitors can still see the aviaries from a distance.
Visitors can see raptors up close as “ambassadors” in public education programs through the Scales and Tales program.
In order to shield the birds under their care from potential virus exposure, Milbourne stated that if the parks transition to a Phase III, employees would be required to wear masks and even protective suits when in and around the aviaries.
Currently, “the health of our agriculture industry and our wild birds” are the main concerns, according to Milbourne. “.”.
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